Steam iron



June 4, 1957 A. c. HOECKER 2,794,275

STEAM IRON Original Filed Jan. 2, 1948 32 FIG. 1. 3 9'6 50 FIG 7 I 36 a7#7 0 IN VEN TOR.

rates Unite STEAM RON Continuation of abandoned application Serial No.292,

January 2, 1948. This application May 24, 1954, Serial No. 431,917

4 Claims. (Cl. 38-77) This invention relates to pressing irons, andparticularly to pressing irons of the steam generating type adapted todischarge substantially dry steam, a mixture of steam and water, oratomized water.

This application is a continuation of my pending application Serial No.292, filed January 2, 1948, for Steam and Dampening Iron, and, ingeneral, represents improvemcnts over the construction disclosed in myU. S. Patent No. 2,387,757, issued October 30, 1945.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a novel steam anddampening iron whereby dampening fluid can be conducted to the materialbeing ironed, through the sole plate, and from above the sole plate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel steam anddampening iron with means whereby the particles of moisture or Waterfrom a dampening iron can be directed to the material being ironedwithout lifting the iron off the material.

It is another object of the invention to provide a steam and dampeningiron with a control valve and an atomizing discharge outlet restrictedto enable the steam pressure within the boiler to effect atomization ofthe dampening fluid discharged through said discharge outlet.

It is another object of the invention to provide a steam and dampeningiron adapted to discharge substantially dry steam, a mixture of steamand water, or atomized water to the material to be ironed.

Other and further objects will appear in the specification and bespecifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings exemplifying the invention and in which:

- Fig. 1 is a vertical central sectional view of the iron.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the iron.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary bottom view of the sole plate.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the rear of the iron.

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are views of the valve showing the various open andclosed positions thereof.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates theiron generally. The iron includes a boiler 1 and a sole plate 2, saidsole plate being cast as an integral part of the boiler. Between thelower wall 3 of the boiler and the sole plate is a recess 4 for thereception of a heating element 5. The heating element 5 is ofconventional design and is provided with the usual terminals 6, saidterminals being connected to a conductor 7 which conducts electricalenergy from a source of supply to the heating element 5.

At the rear end of the boiler is a housing 12 cast as an integral partof the boiler walls for the reception of the terminals 6 of the heatingelement 5. In the lower wall 3 of the boiler which extends into thehousing 12 are slots 9 for the reception of the terminals 6. Below thewall 3 and above the sole plate 2 is 'a slot 8 which communicates withthe recess 4. The heating element atent for the reception of theconductor 7.

The forward end of the sole plate 2 is provided with a steamdistributing channel 13 having stem discharge outlets 14 to the undersurface of the sole plate 2.

Extending up in the boiler is a steam distributing channel 15 whichextends vertically and transversely of the iron, the walls of saidchannel being cast as an integral part of the boiler for conducting thesteam through an opening in the sole plate and for conducting the steamthrough an opening 16 into the steam channel or chamber 13, from whichthe steam is conducted to the matcrial to be ironed through the outlets14 in the sole plate. The upper wall of the channel 15 is provided withan atomizing discharge outlet or spray slot 17 which communicates withthe channel 15 and the boiler for conducting steam or atomized Water tothe material to be ironed.

This atomizing discharge outlet or spray slot 17 is very importantbecause the small restricted outlet 17 retains sufficient steam pressurein the boiler to effect atomization of the water dischargedtherethrough.

Extending upwardly from the slot 17 and cast integrally with the wallsof the distributing channel 15 is a tubular member 18 which extendsthrough the top wall of the boiler. On one side of the tubular member 18and communicating therewith are a pair of water inlets 19 and 20 whichin turn communicate with a water pipe 21 which extends into the waterspace in the boiler. Opposite the Water inlets 19 and 20 is a waterdischarge outlet 22 which communicates with the discharge outlet oratomizing outlet 23 in the spray housing 24, and just below the outlet22 is a steam inlet 25 which communicates with the tubular member 18.

Located within the tubular member 18 is a rotary valve 26, and extendingthrough the valve is a passageway 27 which communicates with the waterinlet 19 and the discharge outlet 22 and restricted atomizing dischargeoutlet 23 in the spray housing 24. Below the passageway 27 in the valveand extending through the valve is a second passageway 28 whichcommuncates with the steam inlet 25 and the water inlet 20 and both ofsaid inlets and the passageway 28 communicate with the discharge outlet29 in the center of the valve and the atomizing discharge outlet 17, thedischarge outlet 17 communicating with the distributing channel 15. Thesteam inlet 25 also communicates with a passageway 30 and dischargeoutlet 29 in the valve 26, the discharge outlet 29 communicating withthe atomizing discharge outlet 17 in the channel 15. The operation ofthe valve 26 will be described later.

A valve stem 31 is secured to the valve 26 and extends through as-tufiing box 32 and gland 33 and opening in the member 34 and issecured to the operating handle 35. The lower end of the member 34 isprovided with an enlarged tapered portion 36 for sealing the taperedopening 37 in the boiler wall. The member 34 and tubular member 18 areprovided with screw threads 38 for securing the member 34 in position.

The rear end of the boiler is provided with a cylin drical chamber 39,the Wall of said chamber being cast integrally with the upper and rearwalls of the boiler. The chamber communicates with the interior of theboiler and the lower end of the chamber is reduced to form a valve seat40 in which a valve 41 is seated. A valve stem 42 is secured to thevalve 41, said stern extending through a plate 43 and packing 44, saidplate closing the upper opening in the chamber 39 and being secured tothe boiler by screws 49. The upper end of the valve stem 42 is securedto an operating handle 45, said handle adapted to cooperate with a earn46 which is cast as an integral part of the rear end or the boiler andextends transversely thereof for lifting the valve 41 off the seat 40. Aspring 43 surrounds the valve stem 42 and engages the valve 41 and plate'43 for holding the valve on its seat. A bracket '50 on the handle 51,holds the packing 44 in position, said handle being secured to the ironby screws 52.

At the rear of the boiler and on the side of the chamber 39 is abox-like member or casing 56 including a funnel 55 which is castintegrallywith the boiler wall and the wall of the housing 12 and in thewall of the chamber391 and communicating with the'boX-like member andfunnel 55 and chamber 39 is an open'ingor steam'outlet 53 whichcommunicates with a steam outlet 54 and between the outlets 53 "and 54and cast integrally with the walls of the box-like member '56 is abaffle 55. This bafiie 55 causes the steam to travel in zigzag manneraround the bafiie 55 in the casing or'box-like member 56, before'thesteam is discharged through the opening 54 to the-atmosphere, therebyreducing the steam pressure and preventing injury to the operator of theiron, in the event excessive steam pressure in the boiler should liftthe valve 41 oil the seat 40, or in the event the operator of the ironshould accidentally lift the valve olf its seat, while steam is in theboiler, for filling'the boiler with water. The valve is lifted off theseat 'by moving the handle 45 from the low part'of the cam 46 to thehigh part of the cam.

It will be noted that the valve 41 has adual purpose: (l)it acts as asafety valve, and (2) it provides means for filling the boiler withwater.

To prevent Waterentering the steam inlet 25 during the movements of theiron, the iron is provided with'a baffle 57 which is cast integrallywith the boiler and extends from the side walls of the boiler to thefront of the boiler and in the baffle atthe forwardendth'ereof is aminute opening 58 which extends through the baffle in such a manner thatany water passing through the opening will be discharged againstthe wallof the boiler and thereby prevent the water splashing upwardly into thesteam inlet 25, and any water that-may accidentally or otherwise passthrough'the opening SS-from the boiler 'Will'drain back into-the boiler.

To operate the iron, it isonlynecessary to move the handle 45 to thehigh point on the cam '46 for introduction of water into the'boilerthrough the'funnel 55. After the boiler is 'filled with water'to-approxim'ately one inch below the baffle 57, the handle 45 --ismoved to the lowpoint on the cam 46. With the handle 45 at the low pointof the cam 46, the 'boiler'will be sealed and the valve'41 will act as asafety valve. The electric current'may then be applied to the-conductor7 and the terminals 6 to heat the electric heating elementwhich willheat the sole plate 2 and the water in-the boiler. After sufficientsteam is generated and referring now to the enlarged valves shown inFigs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, it will be noted that in Fig. 7, the 'valve 26 isshown in closed position and the pointer on the handle 35 should pointto (Off) on the dial on the handle 51. When the pointer on the handle35-points to (Off) 011 the handle 51'no steam'or dampening fluid willbeconducted to the material to be ironed and the iron will act as a-dryiron. If the operator of the iron desires a'mixt'ure of atomized steamand water the handle 35 is'rota'te d clockwise until the pointer on thehandle 35 points to (SW) on the handle 51. With the pointer on'thehandle '35 pointing to (SW) water will enterthe passageway 28 in thevalve 26 through the water inlet 20 andsteam 'willenter'the passageway 28 through the steam inlet "25 as clearly shownin Figs. 1, 3 and 6,mixing the steam and water in the passageway -28. From the passageway 28the mixed steam and Water passes through the outlet 29 in the valve 26and is discharged through the atomizing outlet 17 into the transverseopening 15 and from the transverse opening the mixture :of atomizedsteam and Water is conducted to the material to be ironed. Note theatomizing discharge outlet 17 extends up in the iron a distance from thematerial to beironed so the atomized mixture of steam and water canscatter before contacting the material. Note also that the transverseopening 15 extends almost the full Width of the iron and the atomizingdischarge outlet extends parallel therewith, making it possible for theatomized mixture of steam and Water to scatter over a considerable areaof the material.

If the operator of the iron desires dampening the clothing or materialwith atomized water, the handle 35 is rotated until the pointer on thehandle 35 points to (W) "on the handle 51. With the pointer pointing to(W) Water Will enter the passageway 27 in "the valve 26 through thewater inlet 19 and be conducted to the material to be ironed through the"outlet 22 "and atomizing discharge outlet 23, "as shown in Fig. '1 andin "the enlarged valve View of Fig. '3. It will be 'no'tedthatth'eatomizing'disc'harge outlet '23 also extends above the sole plate so theatomized Water can scatter before contacting the material to be ironed,there-by properly "dampening the material.

7 If theoperatorof the iron'desires s'team'only the handle 35 is rotateduntil the pointer on the handle 35 points to (S) on the'handle 51. Withthe'pointer'onthe handle 35 pointing to (S on-the-handle 51'thevalvewill be in the position shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 9. Withthe valve'open as shown in Fig. 9, *steam'will'enter the valvepassagewaySll through-the steaminlet 25 and be conducted to the materialtobe ironed through the opening 29 in the valve and-through theatomizing discharge outlet 17 and transverse opening. The transverseopening 15 extends through the sole -plate'2 for conducting the steam tothe material-beingironed, however, While the iron'is on the clothin'gormaterial 'part of the steam will enterthe channel 13 through the openingI6 andb'ee'ondueted to the material through-'the-discharge outlets 14.

From the foregoing it will be noted that I have not only invented asteam iron but-also'a dampening'ir'on that will-dampen the materialto-be ironed s'ufliciently to remove wrinkles from all clothing, whichis the most important parrot 'the item-"since steamirons-do not furn'ishsnfiicient moisture to remove wrinkles from all clothing.

Variousmodifications may bemade in this invention without departing fromthe spirit thereof, andtherefore the exact-forms are to be taken Y asillustrative only, and not in a limiting-sense and 'it is-'desired'thatonly stwh limitations shall be placed thereon as necessitated in-theprior'art.

What I claim'is:

.1. A steam and dampening iron comprising a sole plate, a boiler for thereeeption=of-steam :and water, said boiler having a steam space andawater space,-*a'n atomizing device com'p'rising a water=conductor havingone end extendinginto said water space and the'other end having anatomizing dischargeoutlet'suificientlyrestricted to retainsufiicientsteam pressure in said boiler to 'atomize the water passingthrough said discharge outlet, said discharge 'oiltlet extending abovethe sole plate exteriorly of said b'oiler, so the atomized i waterdischarged frorn said outlet can satterover a considerable areaofthe-material being ironed witlioutlifting the iron "off the material,meansconiniunioating with-the ste'am space in-said boi'ler fo rconducting the stea'm through an' opening in said sole: plate to-canse'the :steam to be forced through the-material beingironed, andrneans forheating said sole plate and the water insaid =boiler =tolproduce steam.

2. A steam and dampening iron comprising a sole plate, a boiler for thereception of steam and water, said boiler having a steam space and awater space, an atomizing device comprising a water conductor having oneend extending into said Water space and the other end of said conductorextending above said sole plate exteriorly of said boiler for conductingatomized water from said boiler to the material to be ironed so that theatomized water will scatter over the material to be ironed in a cloud ofatomized water, at least a part of said conductor being restricted toretain suflicient steam pressure in said boiler to atomize the waterpassing through said conductor and a valve in the passageway of saidconductor for controlling the water passing through said conductor,means communicating with said steam space and an opening through saidsole plate for conducting steam to the material to be ironed, and meansfor heating said sole plate and the water in said boiler to producesteam.

3. A steam and dampening iron comprising a sole plate, a steam boilerfor the reception of steam and water and having a steam space and waterspace, an atomizing device comprising a water conductor having one endextending into said water space and the other end extending above thesole plate exteriorly of said boiler and provided with an atomizingdischarge outlet for conducting the atomized Water to the material to beironed, said atomizing discharge outlet extending above said sole plateso that the atomized water can burst into a cloud of atomized waterbefore contacting the material to be ironed, to properly dampen thematerial, steam conducting means communicating with said steam space andwith an .6 opening through said sole plate for conducting steam to thematerial to be ironed and valve control means communicating with saidwater and steam conducting means for directing the water through saidatomizing discharge outlet to the material to be ironed for dampeningthe material, and for directing the steam through said sole plateopening for steaming the material, and means for heating said sole plateand the water in said boiler to produce steam.

4. A dampening and pressing iron comprising a sole plate, a boiler forthe reception of steam and water, said boiler having a steam space and awater space, an atomizing device comprising a water conductor having oneend extending into said water space and the other end extending abovesaid sole plate exteriorly of said boiler for conducting atomized waterfrom said boiler -to the material to be ironed so that the atomizedwater will scatter over the material in a cloud of atomized water, atleast a part of said conductor being restricted to enable the steampressure within the boiler to efiect atomization of the water passingthrough said conductor and a valve in the passageway of said conductorfor controlling the atomized water, and means for heating said soleplate and the water in said boiler to produce steam.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,357,862 Wolcott et a1 Sept. 12, 1944 2,387,757 Hoecker Oct. 30, 19452,596,608 Scott May 13, 1952 2,674,054 Maykemper Apr. 6, 1954

